Union leaders see enactment of the bill as the single most important step toward reversing labor’s long-term loss of membership and might. Virtually all Democrats in Congress are backing the legislation, partly because they recognize that a stronger labor movement, providing campaign contributions and volunteers, could translate into a stronger Democratic Party.To which Captain Ed says:
How will it restore labor's position? Through intimidation and fear. Rather than conducting elections by secret ballot, the workers would be forced to fill out union cards instead, identifying them and their vote on unionization It doesn't take a genius to understand that people opposed to unionizing their workplace might feel a little intimidated if they knew that the union could identify everyone who voted against them. The unions aren't exactly known for a history of milquetoast tactics, and putting that kind of information into their hands will win them elections just from fear of retaliation.When I worked at Pepsi, we almost went union (with the Teamsters of all people!) back in 2000. And when the movement was going, I was actually with it, even though the logical part of me was opposed. But at the time, things were not good for employees there, and the shake-up actually turned out to be a good thing. Thankfully, the vote got cancelled a week before it was going to take place.
Now, my dad was in the IBEW (electrical workers) for like a hundred years. And they were good to him. He always had work, and got paid real well, too. But that was a trade union, and in that line of work, unions are a good thing. They find work for the guys, so the workers don't have to go scouring hither and yon for work. When they get through with one job, they line up another. But in most cases, unions aren't so good. In my case, if we ever decided to strike, we would get $100 a week. Meanwhile, the people who were getting our dues would still be pretty well off.
That said, this initiative to make union votes open would be disastrous for employees. You see, union bosses have long memories. They remember who supported them, and who didn't. And if you don't think they would make life uncomfortable for the people who oppose the bosses--and the politicians they support--think again. Check out the numbers the good captain found on how much union money liberal politicians get, and tell me they're not beholden to unions.
